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Duties of the Sheriff’s Office

May call any person to his aid, and when necessary summons the power of the county.

Serves subpoenas and other notices and levies on property when a judgment has been secured.

Executes and returns all writs and other legal processes issued by lawful authority.

Custodian of the county jail and is responsible for all prisoners committed to him until discharged by law.

Transport individuals to locations as directed by court order.

History

Cass County was named in honor of Lewis Cass and was organized as a county the first Monday in March, 1853, with County Judge Benedict and three Commissioners. Francis E. Ball was elected as Cass County’s first Sheriff at the time of the organization of the county. He resigned in august of 1853.

The first man hanged in the county was Mike Kelley, who killed a man named Tom Curran in a saloon. A mob took Kelley from the Town Constable and hanged him in a locust tree near Grove City. Iranistan was the first town in Cass County, two and a half miles west of the present town of Lewis. Lewis was started in 1853 and was made the county seat. The jail sat to the southeast of the courthouse in Lewis and housed twenty-two people. The living quarters for the sheriff was a two-story house attached to the jail. Both the jail and the Sheriff’s living quarters have since been torn down. The original courthouse in Lewis has also since been torn down. Lewis remained the county seat until 1882, when the seat was moved to Atlantic.

On March 15, 1932, the fifty-year-old courthouse in Atlantic was destroyed by fire. The county offices moved to the Atlantic Motors Company building at second and Poplar until the new courthouse was opened in 1934. This is the same courthouse in use today. The jail, which held twenty-one inmates, was then on the third floor, along with the living quarters for the sheriff.

In April of 1984, a new 16-bed ground level jail was built on the west side of the courthouse with no living quarters for the sheriff. The old third floor jail was renovated into office spaces.

On March 28, 1988, the largest cocaine seizure in Iowa at that time took place. Grizzley, the county drug dog, was used for probable cause to obtain a search warrant on the stopped California car. After the search warrant was executed, 189.2 pounds of cocaine was seized with a street value of $40,000,000. Grizzley joined the Department in June of 1986. Grizzley was donated by the Atlantic Elks Lodge #445.

On June 30, 1989, this office was called to the County Home south of Atlantic to help look for a man that had wandered off. Such a call was not out of the ordinary; however, what happened at the end of the afternoon will never be forgotten by the law officers in this area. While a ground search was under way, Trooper Pilot Lance Dietsch and Trooper Stan Gerling were in the patrol plane looking for the 66-year-old walk away. At 5:41 p.m., Dietsch radioed Sheriff Jones to say he would make one more sweep before calling it quits. One minute later, Dietsch radioed that he found the man and would circle the area. The next radio message was that the plane had crashed. Dietsch was removed and taken to Cass County Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Gerling was killed instantly. This was the first plane crash involving a patrol plane that resulted in a fatality.

Rewritten article from the Atlantic News Telegraph, August 7, 1918:”Those who leave this county always feel pride that they came from grand old Cass in preference to the other counties of the state, and are always willing to welcome anyone from the old home county. In everything that makes a land worth living in, Cass County leads. Its roads are kept, its schools are as good as the best of them, and its land is among the most valuable land in America.” That feeling lives on today.

Press Releases

All criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.

On December 27, 2018, Charles Albert Mace, Jr., turned himself in at the Cass County Jail. Mace was wanted on two Atlantic Police Department warrants for four counts of Felony Sex Abuse 3rd Degree; one count of Exhibiting Obscene Material to a Minor (Serious); and one count of Violation of a No Contact Order. Mace was booked at the Cass County Jail and remains held on $200,000 bond.

On December 28, 2018, the Atlantic Police Department arrested Robert Joseph Dambra, 46, of Atlantic, on a Cass County Sheriff’s Office warrant for Tampering with a Witness (Aggravated) and Harassment 3rd Degree (Simple). Dambra was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released on $2,300 bond.

On December 28, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dakota Lee Sandbothe, 20, of Marne, on a charge of Eluding (Serious) and a citation for Reckless Driving. Sandbothe was also charged by the Atlantic Police Department with Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (Serious).

On December 28, 2018, at 8:33 a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on westbound I-80 at the 55.7 mile marker. A 2005 Chevy Suburban owned and driven by John K. Fuller, 54, of Johnston, IA, lost traction on the icy road, entering the center median and rolling onto the passenger side then coming to rest on its wheels. Medical care was refused. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $10,000.

On December 28, 2018, at 11:21 a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on 650th Street near Troublesome Creek Road. A 2002 Ford F150 driven by Kimberly Joy Zimtbaum, 41, of Phoenix, AZ, was traveling southbound on 650th when the driver hit an icy patch on the road. The vehicle exited the roadway, rolling twice, and coming to rest in the east ditch. The driver and one passenger were transported by Midwest Transport to Cass County Memorial Hospital. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $6,000.

On December 28, 2018, at 7:03 p.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on Olive Street near Echo Road. A 2009 Chevy Cobalt driven by Dallas Joseph Drenth, 16, of Woodbine, IA, was northbound on Olive Street when the vehicle hit the gravel shoulder, sending it into the east ditch. Drenth was transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $3,000.

On December 29, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Cinthia Ann Ulveling, 57, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense (Serious). Ulveling was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance.

On December 29, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dylan Zachary Russell, 25, of Atlantic, on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Driving Under Suspension. Russell was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty the following day and was released from custody.

On December 30, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Richard Harold Lewis, Sr., 52, of Anita, on a charge of Simple Assault. Lewis was taken to the Cass County Jail where he pled guilty the following day and was released from custody.

On December 31, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Daniel Harvey Pash, 38, of Harlan, on a Shelby County warrant. Pash was taken to the Cass County Jail and was later released to Shelby County authorities.

On December 17, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Michelle Lee Dougherty, 28, of Carter Lake, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Dougherty was taken to the Cass County Jail and later released on her own recognizance.

On December 17, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Michael Boggs, 48, of Council Bluffs, on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense (Aggravated). Boggs was also arrested on drug charges by the Atlantic Police Department at that time. Boggs was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $107,000 bond.

On December 18, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Aaron Gar Nelson, 27, of Clarinda, on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Theft 3rd Degree (Aggravated). Nelson was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $2,000 bond.

On December 19, 2018, as the result of a traffic stop, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Daveon Ja’Mar Jones, 18, of Omaha, on charges of Carrying Weapons (Aggravated); No Weapon Permit (Aggravated); and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple); and cited Devin Marquese Edwards, 19, of Council Bluffs and Maryam Bu Alaq, 19, of Lincoln, each with a charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple). Jones was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

On December 19, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Matthew James Bruns, 35, of Atlantic, on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Bruns was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

On December 20, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ashley Chantelle Nicole Hetterich, 32, of Denison, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Hetterich was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $25,000 bond.

On December 23, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Shawn Michael Putnam, Jr., on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for four counts of Sex Abuse 2nd Degree (B Felony). Putnam was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $250,000 bond.

On December 24, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chase Daniel Mewhirter, 31, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense (Serious). Mewhirter was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

On December 25, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Patrick William Hillard, 42, of Holstein, IA, on a warrant for Failure to Serve Jail Time. Hillard was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day upon serving the remaining owed time.

On November 30, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Amanda Kay Bashor, 42 ,of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense (Serious). Bashor was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance.

On December 5, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Aaron Joseph Moore, 40, of Wiota, on charges of Interference with Official Acts Involving a Dangerous Weapon (D Felony) and Carrying a Knife over 8 Inches (Aggravated). Moore was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 cash bond.

On December 5, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Matthew David Blair, 40, of Jefferson, IA, on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Blair was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $3,000 bond.

On December 7, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bryceton Lee Flathers, 29, of Atlantic, on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense (Aggravated). Flathers was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

On December 9, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brad James Smith, 44, of Atlantic, on charges of OWI 1st Offense (Serious) and Driving While Revoked (Serious). Smith was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

On December 12, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dustin Lee Jones, 20, of Atlantic, on two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Jones was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $10,000 bond.

On December 14, 2018, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kristine Jensine Porter, 31, of Creston, on charges of Child Endangerment No Injury (Aggravated) and OWI 1st Offense (Serious). Porter was taken to the Cass County Jail and remains held on $5,000 bond.

On December 14, 2018, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at Highway 148 and Main Street in Griswold. A 2017 Chevy Explorer driven by Jennifer Elizabeth Bissell, 33, of Corning, was stopped at the southbound stop sign on Highway 148 when said vehicle was struck by a 2005 Dodge pickup driven by Brock Hunter Wallace, 17, of Griswold, who was turning from Main Street onto northbound Highway 148. Wallace turned into the southbound traffic lane and struck the front passenger side of Bissell’s vehicle. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Chevy is estimated at $3,000; damage to the Dodge is estimated at $2,500. Wallace was cited for Making an Unsafe Left Turn.

On December 2, 2018, at 4:04 p.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident on I-80 eastbound at the 64 mile marker. A 2016 Toyota owned and driven by Martin Joseph Broderick, 27, was eastbound on I-80 when it was struck in the side by a 2007 Chevy 2500 owned and driven by William J. Rinn, 81, of Crystal Lake, when Rinn’s vehicle hit a slick spot on the road. No injuries were reported. Damage to Broderick’s vehicle is estimated at $4,000; damage to Rinn’s vehicle is estimated at $5,000.

Civil Division

Please contact the Sheriff’s office prior to faxing or emailing documents for service. Advance fees are required prior to service being provided. You may contact the Sheriff’s office at 712-243-2206 or email switzman@casscoia.us for amount needed for service and any additional civil process questions.

K-9

K9 Vader, a German Shepherd, was purchased with money seized from drug forfeitures. Vader is a dual-purpose K9 certified in narcotics detection, suspect apprehensions, handler protection, building and area search, tracking, and evidence searching. Deputy Kyle Quist is Vader’s handler. K9 Vader replaced K9 Kane after Kane suffered a career-ending injury. K9 Kane was highly awarded in his time with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Quist and Vader have already won several awards in their time together. Vader has had numerous narcotics finds and apprehensions of offenders.

Deputy Quist has been part of several K9 teams in his career and is a Certified Trainer who trains the Cass County Sheriff’s Office’s K9 Units.

K9 Mufasa, a German Shepherd, is part of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office crime-fighting force. Deputy Tyler Shiels is Mufasa’s handler. Mufasa was purchased with money seized from drug stops in Cass County. Mufasa is a dual-purpose K9 trained in tracking, area and building searches, handler protection, suspect apprehension, and narcotics location.

Cass County Jail/Current Inmates/PREA Compliance

The Cass County Jail is located at 5 West 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022. Inmates can receive mail correspondence at this address. The jail can be reached 24 hours a day at (712) 243-6960. Please click the link below for the current inmate list.

DISCLAIMER:Record of an arrest is not an indication of guilt. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office does not provide case disposition.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office provides this roster as a public service. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office does not expressly or by implication warrant that the information or data accessed by the customer is accurate or correct. The Sheriff is not liable for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising directly or indirectly in connection with this access. In no event shall the Sheriff be liable for any special or consequential damages or for any direct damages resulting from the customer’s use or application of the information obtained as a result of using this web site.

Individuals obtaining information from this web site should verify accuracy through the arresting agency or Iowa Courts Online.

THIS AGENCY IS PREA COMPLIANTThe Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Cass County Jail have zero-tolerance of sexual misconduct of inmates (by inmates, staff, volunteers, contractors).

HOW TO REPORT-In Person-Phone Call-Letter-Anonymously

WHO TO REPORT TO-Sheriff-Jail Administration-County Attorney-Public Defender-Phoenix House

How to Lodge a Personnel Complaint

Complaints may be lodged against personnel of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office by submitting a Personnel Complaint Form, which is available in the lobby of the Sheriff’s Office. Complaints may also be filed via email directly to Sheriff Darby J. McLaren at dmclaren@casscoia.us. A link to the Complaint Form is included here as well:

IowaVINE

The IowaVINE system is a service through which victims of crime can use the telephone or internet to search for information regarding the custody status of their offender and to register to receive telephone and email notification when the offender’s custody status changes. The toll-free number for IowaVINE is 888-7-IAVINE or 888-742-8463. This service is provided to assist victims of crime who have a right to know about their offender’s custody status.Go to the VINE Website.